I'm leader of oppn in LS, but never allowed to speak: Rahul

NEW DELHI: Congress' Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that he is not allowed to speak in Lok Sabha despite being the leader of the opposition (LoP) even as govt representatives make statements freely. He was referring to the fracas that broke out after defence minister Rajnath Singh's statement in the wake of opposition's demonstration demanding a discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack.

Rahul also mocked PM Narendra Modi, saying "he ran out of the House in one second". As Parliament 's monsoon session opened to a clash between opposition and govt, Rahul told reporters, "They let the defence minister speak, they let 'their people' to speak. But if opposition members want to make a statement, they are not allowed. I am the leader of the opposition, but I am never allowed to speak. This is a new approach. This (speaking) is my right."

"The convention says if a member of govt speaks, then opposition should also get an opportunity. We wanted to make a brief remark, but was not given a chance," the leader of opposition in LS added.

Congress whip Manickam Tagore said that opposition has moved adjournment motions seeking debate on the Pahalgam attack and related events. "But govt is not ready to yield. The parliamentary affairs minister and defence minister are ready to lecture us, but the LoP is not allowed to speak."

Tagore said opposition will continue to stress that the LoP be allowed to make an intervention in the House. "We are waiting for the day when the LoP is allowed to speak on the adjournment motion."